The trade deadline is in February but we have seen teams making moves early this NBA season. Rajon Rondo was traded, the Cavaliers, Thunder and Knicks had a three team trade and then the Cavaliers made a deal with the Denver Nuggets.

The Memphis Grizzlies are in the process of getting Jeff Green from the Boston Celtics. The Grizzlies would send Tayshaun Prince’s $7.7 million expiring contract and a future first-round pick to the Celtics.

In a separate deal the Celtics traded newly acquired Brandan Wright to the Phoenix Suns for a protected first-round draft pick that initially belonged to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The pick is top 12 protected for the next two seasons and then turns into two second-rounders in 2016 and ’17.

The Celtics understand they have assets to trade and they are making the right moves early. Instead of waiting until the deadline like most teams the Celtics have acquired numerous draft picks for this season and next season.

Let’s get back to this Celtics-Grizzlies trade. It seems that the New Orleans Pelicans have joined that trade to acquire Quincy Pondexter from the Grizzlies. The Pelicans would send Russ Smith to Memphis and receive a future second-round pick from the Grizzlies. It has been speculated that Austin Rivers is also in the deal. At first I read he would be going to the Celtics but now I’m hearing that the Celtics would send him to the Clippers to play for his father, Doc Rivers.

The Clippers need a wing defender and a big man. Acquiring Austin Rivers does not help them. There are other teams out there that should be having a fire sale just like the Boston Celtics.

The Denver Nuggets should look to move Wilson Chandler, Arron Afflalo and Randy Foye. Chandler and Foye both have team options next season. Foye has been out since November but he’s a career 37% shooter from beyond the arc. In limited time he’s shooting 34% from three point land this season.

Wilson Chandler is the type of player I thought the Oklahoma City Thunder would trade for instead of Dion Waiters. The Clippers could use a guy like Wilson Chandler. He’s a solid defender who can knock down an open three pointer. The Toronto Raptors could also use a guy like Wilson Chandler.

Arron Afflalo could be traded because he has a player option next season. He will most likely opt out and look for a better team. The Nuggets could get a draft pick for Afflalo and they should think about moving him soon.

The Cleveland Cavaliers will make another move before the deadline. They still have that Brendan Haywood contract to move. Although they acquired Iman Shumpert from the Knicks they could still use another shooting guard.

It has been good to see teams willing to make trades early. There are still more deals out there to be made for many playoff teams.